Page 52 of Quest

“This way.” My voice was steadier, bolstered by the tangible signs of nearing our goal. The others nodded, their earlier frustration giving way to renewed focus as they followed me through a narrow passage that twisted steeply downward.

As we descended, Lumis shone steadily ahead on the path. But as we came around a tightly winding corner, its beam swung suddenly to the cavern wall. Puzzled, I stopped to examine it. In a crevice, a tiny plant grew with pale green, bristly leaves. I leaned close to stare in wonderment.

“What is it?” Darcel asked curiously.

“I’m not sure,” I responded. “I’ve seen some similar plants, but I don’t recognize this specific one. I think we’re supposed to take a sample.” Carefully I dug the plant from the wall and tucked it away before resuming our trek. Our footsteps echoed as the tunnel grew wider, and we came around another corner to see our destination.

A vast chamber opened before us, at the center of which a flame danced above a pedestal—a vibrant, luminous blue glow that cast an otherworldly, beckoning light across the cavernous space.

The timeless dance of light and shadow flickered across Darcel’s awe. “You did it, Mei.” His approval warmed me, his quiet use of my true name during such a sacred moment a balm to our earlier trials.

The flame’s heat brushed against my skin like the whisper of some ancient secret as I stepped closer, my eyes fixed on the flame, mesmerized. “We need to figure out how to harness this.”

The flame appeared untouchable, ensconced within a natural basin of rock that seemed to have been sculpted by the hands of time itself. I circled it, my mind racing through various herbal concoctions that could potentially protect us from the heat or help contain the flame.

Though we appeared to have reached the destination the riddle had led us to, something about the setup felt too deliberate, an uneasy niggling in the back of my mind. I examined the flickering light against the cavern walls—the play of shadows and firelight created patterns that seemed to shift and change, drawing my attention to the less obvious features of our surroundings.

While the others admired the flame and discussed ways to harness it, I beckoned Darcel over. As we studied the light, it flared for a moment, the reflection casting vivid hues across the rocky surface. A particular cluster of crystal formations caught my notice—deep red, like smoldering coals, something similar to rubies that appeared almostalive.

Darcel’s breath hitched. “Are those crystals?”

“Not just crystals.” Excitement swelled at the realization. “They’re part of a very rare type of succulent that crystallizes minerals from the cavern environment to form ruby-like structures on its leaves. This one is known asflameheart cactus. I’ve only seen diagrams of them; I didn’t even know some still grew.”

Darcel’s eyes widened in wonder, but Kael and Jiang remained unconvinced when he relayed the information to them…though Kael’s expression appeared more pensive than skeptical.

“Aplant?” Sir Jiang scoffed. “Are you certain?”

“Absolutely.” I moved closer to inspect one of the formations. The flameheart cactus was legendary in herbalist circles, said to contain the essence of an eternal flame within its very biology. The plant thrived in extreme heat, absorbing and crystallizing minerals to create a protective barrier against the elements, making its leaves take on the appearance of precious gems.

Carefully, I used a pair of tongs from my herbalist kit to detach a crystallized leaf from the cactus. The leaf was warm, its edges glinting with a fiery brilliance that seemed to pulse with life. It shimmered as I held it up to the light. “This is what we need—not the flame itself, but what it protects.”

The respect I coveted from Darcel deepened as he observed the leaf. “So the flame was a guardian, not the prize itself.”

I smiled, feeling a surge of pride in my discovery. “It’s a natural safeguard, protecting the true treasure from those who might not understand its value or how to properly cultivate it.”

Together, we harvested several of the crystallized leaves, carefully wrapping each in a length of silk and storing them in my pack. As I handled each leaf, I couldn't help but reflect on the mystical plant that was more than just a component for our quest—it served as a symbol of resilience, thriving in harsh conditions that would destroy anything less adapted.

Before we departed, I pulled out the ancient scroll whose riddles had guided our path thus far. The parchment crackled slightly beneath my fingers as I carefully unfurled it to reveal the next riddle inscribed in the faded ink: “Amidst whispers of despair and a land bereft of light, roots entwine with secrets rare, hidden from mortal sight.”

Darcel’s brow furrowed as he read aloud, his voice resonating through the cavern, each word echoing off the stalactite-laden ceiling. “The Kingdom of Shadows…it’s said to be a realm that remains cloaked in perpetual dusk, where the sun’s rays fear to tread even after the light’s return to the rest of the kingdom due to its ancient secrets, swallowed by the shadows of time.”

I peered over his shoulder at the cryptic words, recalling fragmented lore from old texts. “Based on this description, the herb sounds like the ShadowRoot, a mythical plant believed to grow only in the deepest shadows, absorbing the essence of darkness itself.” A fitting remnant from the cursed night.

Darcel’s expression grew solemn, his eyes reflecting a mixture of resolve and concern. “Then that is where we must go next. If the ShadowRoot is as entwined with secrets as the riddle suggests, it could be key to dispelling the remnants of the curse.”

We nodded in agreement and gathered our belongings to begin the trek back through the maze of rock and stone, each step drawing us farther from the cavern’s mysterious depths, back towards the light of the known path that lay ahead. As we made our way back through the cavern, the weight of our forthcoming journey pressed heavily upon us, the thrill of our recent discovery threatening to overshadow our joy with the daunting path ahead.

Yet as we walked, our eyes met and a smile crossed his face, filled with a warmth that I longed to explore more fully. To my joy I realized that the previous tense awkwardness that had hung between us had vanished; instead the wonder of our discovery filled the spaces between us.

The setting sun greeted us upon exiting the cave, concealed by a thick canopy that cast elongated shadows across our path, as if reaching out with fingers of the impending dusk. The sky deepened into twilight by the time we entered the forest, the dying light seeming reluctant to leave the sky, as if wary of the darkness that crept steadily around us, whispering warnings of the challenges that lay ahead.

As we navigated through the thick trees, the last rays of sunlight finally vanished behind the distant hills. I drew a deep breath and unconsciously moved a little nearer to Darcel, fighting my usual dread of nightfall. The warmth of his presence reassured me, reminding me of our purpose…and that I was not facing it alone.

Despite my lingering unease twisting in my stomach, a newfound determination fortified my resolve. The Kingdom of Shadows would undoubtedly test us in ways we had yet to face. Yet with Darcel at my side with the truth of my identity shared between us, I sensed an unspoken bond—a commitment that extended beyond our cause to each other.

Together we would venture into the Kingdom of Shadows. With its whispered despair and hidden secrets, we would face whatever darkness awaited us.

CHAPTER 21

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